Goat Is the G.O.A.T.

Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
$10.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Nancy Paulsen Books
On sale Feb 18, 2025 | 9780593405437
Age 3-7 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD360L | Fountas & Pinnell J
Sales rights: World
A funny misunderstanding sparks a sweet little goat’s joyful journey to self-discovery.

“He’s the G.O.A.T. Greatest Of All Time!”

Wow . . . Goat had no idea!

But why is he the greatest? Is he the fastest? Nope, Horse easily beats him in a race. Maybe he’s the strongest? No, that’s Donkey. Goat isn’t the highest jumper, either, or even the best spitter—and he’s definitely not the bravest. Out of ideas of what makes him great, he’s beginning to doubt that he’s great at anything when a sudden call for help gives him his chance to shine.

Kids will get a kick out of Goat’s antics and cheer him on as he finally stops comparing himself to everyone else and discovers that there’s greatness in us all.
“A gray-coated, blue-eyed goat, first seen on the title page munching greenery up in an apple tree, overhears some barnyard residents speaking admiringly. ‘He’s the G.O.A.T.,’ they say, ‘Greatest of all time!’ Goat, listening around the corner, doesn’t realize that the object of their praise is a blue-ribbon-wearing bull on a poster. Goat is delighted to be appreciated, imagining a trophy, a parade, some yummy confetti. ‘But . . . what makes me the greatest?’ Goat wonders. Could it be that he is the fastest of all time? Actually, the dappled horse is faster. Strongest? The donkey is demonstrably stronger. Greatest leader, loudest, farthest spitter, highest jumper, muddiest, fuzziest? None of these. Goat is not even the bravest! The farm denizens (sheep, border collie, llama, frog, pig, rooster, cat, mouse) in this sequence have lively, friendly, earnest animal faces. . . . Murphy’s lighthearted, sunny, full-color illustrations and humorous details convey a busy, happy farm. . . . Nicely paced, funny, and appealing, and full of optimism and goodwill.” —Kirkus Reviews

About

A funny misunderstanding sparks a sweet little goat’s joyful journey to self-discovery.

“He’s the G.O.A.T. Greatest Of All Time!”

Wow . . . Goat had no idea!

But why is he the greatest? Is he the fastest? Nope, Horse easily beats him in a race. Maybe he’s the strongest? No, that’s Donkey. Goat isn’t the highest jumper, either, or even the best spitter—and he’s definitely not the bravest. Out of ideas of what makes him great, he’s beginning to doubt that he’s great at anything when a sudden call for help gives him his chance to shine.

Kids will get a kick out of Goat’s antics and cheer him on as he finally stops comparing himself to everyone else and discovers that there’s greatness in us all.

Praise

“A gray-coated, blue-eyed goat, first seen on the title page munching greenery up in an apple tree, overhears some barnyard residents speaking admiringly. ‘He’s the G.O.A.T.,’ they say, ‘Greatest of all time!’ Goat, listening around the corner, doesn’t realize that the object of their praise is a blue-ribbon-wearing bull on a poster. Goat is delighted to be appreciated, imagining a trophy, a parade, some yummy confetti. ‘But . . . what makes me the greatest?’ Goat wonders. Could it be that he is the fastest of all time? Actually, the dappled horse is faster. Strongest? The donkey is demonstrably stronger. Greatest leader, loudest, farthest spitter, highest jumper, muddiest, fuzziest? None of these. Goat is not even the bravest! The farm denizens (sheep, border collie, llama, frog, pig, rooster, cat, mouse) in this sequence have lively, friendly, earnest animal faces. . . . Murphy’s lighthearted, sunny, full-color illustrations and humorous details convey a busy, happy farm. . . . Nicely paced, funny, and appealing, and full of optimism and goodwill.” —Kirkus Reviews